Question:
What’s eating the petals of the flowers in my garden? I have noticed many sowbugs in the area. I’ve always considered them harmless, but now I’m unsure. Could they be the problem? If not, what is?Answer:
- It is doubtful that Sowbugs are the primary cause of the problem in your flower garden.
- First, Sowbugs are not insects but soil-dwelling crustaceans, more closely related to crayfish than insects. By definition, insects have six legs, while Sowbugs have many more.
- Finding Sowbugs climbing on plants and eating flower petals. They are shy and reside on the ground under dark and moist debris. They feed on dead or decaying organic matter.
- This activity makes Sowbugs a ‘garden good guy’ or a composting machine, as they break down decaying organic matter into nutrients that plants can use.However, they can be problematic with edibles like strawberries, pumpkins, or melons when resting on moist soil.
- The moisture causes wet spots on the maturing fruits that never dry out, leading to decay and providing an entry point for Sowbugs.
- They’re not a problem with cucumbers or any other edible with a waxy coating.
- Lifting the fruits or vegetables off the ground solves this by allowing air to circulate around them, drying out the moist spots.
- A drip irrigation clip is a perfect solution for clusters of strawberries, while a layer of straw works for others. So what is the problem
- I believe the holes are the work of earwigs, snails, or slugs. They do their damage at night and retreat to a cool, dark location during the daytime.
- I’d sprinkle the area with Sluggo Plus, not to be confused with Sluggo. It is an effective organic, granular bait for snails, slugs, and earwigs that is safe to use around pets and kids. I’d sprinkled the bait throughout the area and reapply monthly through the harvesting season.
Question:
What causes plants or shrubs to die out? I planted two magnolias six years ago, and they have really not grown. One looks healthy with green leaves, but the other is sickly looking.Answer:
- Plants struggling with little to no new growth and then die overnight suffer from root rot. Root rot develops when plants are planted too deep in our heavy clay soil and excessive summer moisture.
- We often plant new plants at the bottom of a bowl-shaped hole. Shortly thereafter, the watering basin collapses around the trunk, burying the plants.
- All new plants should be planted high above the ground, with the original root ball sticking out of the ground 1/2 to 1 inch above the grade. This allows water to flow away from the trunk and prevents the plants from being buried too deep.
- The exposed root ball is covered with mulch to insulate it from the sun. For those plants still struggling, I would dig them up and replant.
- Removing the excess soil down to the top root is also recommended. Planting plants too deep in clay soil is the number one cause of plant death.